In an unravelling of the Jogeshwari plot scam of 2018, the BMC has intended a 10 per cent deduction from retired Deputy Chief Engineer of DP, Bhaskar Choudhary’s pension. He was found guilty of the said scam, thus, the proposal before the standing committee seeks a 10 per cent reduction in his pension for 5 years.
The 14,000 sqm plot in Jogeshwari is approximately worth Rs 500 cr and has been a bone of contention for several years. In 2018, a case was filed over alleged tampering remarks made by the then civic head. 4 officials of the Development Plan and Legal departments were also suspended and 14 others faced probe.
The BMC has said to have lost the prime plot that it was attempting to acquire for a recreation ground. However, owing to delays in processing files and documents, the body lost its hand at the plot. The plot was reserved as a recreation ground or a hospital in the Development Plan in 1991. It was only in July 2014 that the Deputy Law Officer of the BMC submitted a purchase notice. An inordinate delay led to it being tabled for approval only in May 2016. Owing to its lethargic efforts, the body failed to procure the land, leading to a reversion in the purchase as well as reservation. The owner of the land then decided to take matters into his own hands and moved to the Bombay High Court to remove the reservation title attached.
Since the plot was privately owned, the BMC is required to acquire the land within 10 years, which it failed to do. This coupled with the negligent attitude, resulting in the body losing the case in the High Court. Out of the 23 officials accused, Bhaskar Choudhary was one who bore the brunt with a 10% slash in his pension for 5 years.
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